DOOM has long stood as a fundamental pillar of the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, but interestingly, John Romero, one of its co-creators, has revealed a surprising favorite in Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Romero, who co-founded id Software alongside John Carmack and Tom Hall, played a crucial role in defining the original DOOM games. Known for their heavy metal aesthetics and Romero’s charismatic persona, it’s easy to associate him primarily with fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled shooters.
Despite his enduring affection for DOOM, which includes the creation of two new episodes—Sigil and Sigil 2—Romero’s interests extend beyond this beloved franchise. Notably, he expressed a significant fondness for Ghost Recon Breakpoint, a tactical shooter from Ubisoft, which has captured his attention since its 2019 launch. This choice is particularly intriguing given how it diverges from the classic FPS model.
John Romero’s Favorite “FPS” Is Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Ubisoft’s Tactical Shooter Has Captured Romero’s Heart
Romero discussed his admiration for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint in a 2021 interview with Screen Rant, expressing that he “can’t say enough about it.”He reiterated this sentiment in two separate Reddit AMAs—first naming it one of his favorite games when responding to a user in 2020 and later dubbing it his “favorite FPS”that he did not develop when asked by another Redditor in 2023. This unexpected choice enhances the credibility of his opinion, suggesting a genuine love rather than a manufactured response.
Interestingly, Ghost Recon Breakpoint is primarily a third-person shooter, which marks a distinct departure from the FPS designation. For someone who played a pivotal role in the genre’s development, this distinction may not hold significant weight, especially considering the genre’s early catalog often consisted of titles that were labeled simply as “DOOM clones.”Nonetheless, the gameplay experience of Ghost Recon Breakpoint is notably different from that of DOOM.
DOOM & Ghost Recon Breakpoint Are Wildly Different
Stopping To Smell The Roses
Romero points to the tactical aspect of Ghost Recon Breakpoint as a key factor in its appeal, contrasting it sharply with the fast-paced gameplay of DOOM. While the latter is renowned for its exhilarating run-and-gun action, DOOM dominated the video game market in the 1990s due to its groundbreaking engine that could sustain high speed and intricate details.
In contrast, Ghost Recon Breakpoint adheres to the principles of careful strategy, surveillance, and positioning reminiscent of military operations, building on the legacy of the Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon games. This title offers open-world exploration, focusing more on survival mechanics, which marks a shift away from the pure power fantasy that DOOM provides. While the multiplayer elements attract many players, the narrative in Breakpoint doesn’t quite match the franchise’s historical standards.
John Romero’s Love For Ghost Recon Breakpoint Is Rare
Breakpoint Is A Divisive Tactical Shooter
Though John Romero is not the sole enthusiast of Ghost Recon Breakpoint, early critical and audience receptions deemed it clunky and unfocused, as noted in Screen Rant’s review. Ubisoft responded to constructive criticism by implementing numerous post-launch updates, resulting in an improved experience for dedicated players grappling with a challenging initial launch.
Despite these updates, Breakpoint continues to face unfavorable comparisons to its predecessor, Wildlands, amidst a broader trend of declining public sentiment toward modern Ubisoft titles. Launched in 2019, during a time of stagnation in Ubisoft’s design philosophy, many players who were initially disappointed may have been deterred from revisiting the game to see its evolution.
Interestingly, many might assume Romero would gravitate toward a modern boomer shooter like ULTRAKILL, a genre he openly enjoys. He recently praised the resurgence of retro-style FPS games in a video by A16Z Games, acknowledging the creativity stemming from nostalgia for the 90s. Yet, he also articulated a broader appreciation for the diversification of the shooter genre that has unfolded since the heyday of DOOM.
“I just love where the FPS has gone, because when it started it was basically our games. And then when it started to splinter into different areas, like tactical shooters, military sims, hero shooters, Destiny-style stuff. It’s huge. And now, since the last five years or so, retro shooters. And so these retro games are trying to be like 90s shooters, using modern tech and everything. And they’re just great. It’s really cool to see so many people who had a great memory of playing games back then and want to create their own memory of a game that has that aesthetic.”— John Romero
To those familiar with the tactical shooter genre, Ghost Recon Breakpoint may seem like a standard entry from Ubisoft, but for Romero, it encapsulates a significant evolution in FPS gaming. The expansive landscapes and intricate details of today’s titles were unimaginable during the original development of DOOM. Romero’s admiration for titles like Ultima 7 highlights his appreciation for exploration and creative freedom in gaming.
Romero’s favorites list, including games like Minecraft, World of Warcraft, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, reflects his appreciation for ambitious game design. However, it’s essential to note that while fans of DOOM may remain indifferent to Ghost Recon Breakpoint, the reverse may also apply. Ultimately, both games hold their appeal, making John Romero the ideal audience for both experiences.
Sources:
fortwaynebatman/Reddit,
some-kind-of-no-name/Reddit,
A16Z Games/YouTube